Harold Washington College Orientation Guide

In every detail, the college mission honors the vision of Harold Washington, former Mayor of Chicago, for whom the college is named.  It offers a learning-centered urban institution of higher education stressing a student community seeking academic advancement, career development, GED preparation, English as a Second Language, and/or personal enrichment opportunities.

The City Colleges of Chicago’s “downtown” campus…accessible by public transportation from anywhere in the city...

Graduates with associate degrees are assured through the Illinois Articulation Initiative of having their courses accepted at many four-year colleges...

Flexible class schedules, including credit traditional day and evening classes, teleweb classes through the Center for Distance Learning, adult education, skills programs, continuing education classes and programs for those in the military...

Partnerships with downtown and loop businesses enable students to gain on-the-job training while pursuing academic goals…

Home to a diversified student body (almost 7,000 strong), including students from 47 different countries, virtually all Chicago public high schools, some private Chicago high schools, and some suburban high schools…

State-of-the-art facility with multiple computer labs and outstanding library/media center, all of which are accessible to all…

Multiple student activities ranging from ethnically-oriented, political, subject-based, international, and honorary clubs/societies.  Opportunities to write for college publications and to perform in college theater…A warm, environment where staff works to communicate to students that they are welcomed and supported